Chicago, 4th of July and a birthday

OK so I had a whole post typed out about Chicago and Jack magically hit the delete button and the whole thing disappeared. This is going to be an all encompassing post about Chicago, the 4th and Jack's 2nd birthday.

Chicago -

We had such a great time and the weather was beautiful. As you read, I left at 5:25 Friday morning. I left my house around 2:30 in the morning so that I could park, get to the airport and check in. By the time I made it to the Delta terminal it was about 3:30 am and there were already people waiting to check in. The terminals for self check in didn't open until 4:10. So we sat and waited. Once I checked in I made my way to security and then to my gate. Of course the day before Michael Jackson died so that is all that was on the TVs - I proceeded to put my ipod in my ears and patiently wait to board the plane. The flight to Atlanta was short and uneventful. Once in Atlanta, I saw the sunrise, got some breakfast and watched an episode of Bones (still more Michael Jackson on the TVs). The flight to Chicago was longer - watched more Bones. Jon met me at the airport - we were so excited to see each other. He had to wear his uniform b/c he has no civilan clothes (they are all in Iraq). We took the train to downtown and then walked over the Michigan Avenue bridge and then to our hotel. When we checked into the hotel, the guy working the front desk upgraded our room b/c Jon was in his uniform. The room was great! Once we got into the room I took a nap (a much deserved nap). For the rest of the day we just walked around downtown Chicago and the Magnificant Mile. On Saturday, we got up and went to the Sears Tower, Shedd Aquarium and the Navy Pier. The only thing that Jon wanted to do the whole time we were there was to go see Transformers 2 - so we went. On Sunday, we went and took the tour of Wrigley Field. It is the second oldest field still being used today. It was built in 1914. I was like a kid in a candy store b/c I am a HUGE history nerd and I LOVE the Cubs. It was so neat to see everything - the bleachers, visitors club house, press box and especially the field. That night we went to have a last dinner together at Weber Grill - man was the food amazing! Monday we had to get up early so I could make it to the airport on time. I was doing great until we got to the airport and I got all checked in. I cried for like 10 minutes and so did Jon. It was the hardest thing that I ever had to do. Once I left Chicago I was anxious to get home so that I could see Jack. I really missed him the whole time I was gone.

Here are some pictures-


Atlanta Sunrise


View from our hotel - Sears Tower


The Field Museum and Soldier Field


Corner of Waveland and Sheffield - best place to catch homerun baseballs


Statue of Mr. Cub - Ernie Banks


The scoreboard - it is still operated by hand


The beautiful ivy on the outfield brick wall


The famous red Cubs marqee

4th of July -

We spent all of the past weekend with my family and had a great time. My aunt and uncle and cousins came over from Pensacola for the weekend. We spent almost 2 days in a swimming pool somewhere. We ate more food than people are supposed to eat at one time - let's just say we ate so much that I wasn't hungry again until dinner on Sunday.

Yesterday was Jack's second birthday. I can't believe that he is 2 already. On Friday morning I took him to have pictures taken for his birthday and so we could send Jon once he got overseas. Jon leaves late tonight for Kuwait. It's really real now. I hope that everyone had a great 4th and has a great rest of the week.